[Johannesburg, 04 February 2016] Danaflex, one of Russia’s leading flexographic printing companies, makes use of modern printing technology that relies on HTT thermal oil heaters for accurate and constant process temperature.
Flexographic printing is at its core a contemporary form of the letterpress and makes use of a flexible relief plate for printing. This style of printing can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including plastic, metallic film, cellophane and paper, and is most commonly used to print on the non-porous materials that are used in food packaging.
In 2001, as part of its mandate to stay ahead of global printing trends, Danaflex began using the Soloflex, a flexographic printing machine from Windmöller & Hölscher, a highly regarded German manufacturer and distributor of machinery and equipment for flexible packaging.
Imperative for world class flexographic printing is supporting process temperature that is constant and, above all, precise. Airat Bashirov, Danaflex President, comments, “Flexographic printing is a highly sensitive process and all aspects must be taken into consideration. The availability of an accurate and constant process temperature is a factor of very great importance.” Windmöller & Hölscher is no stranger to this and employs the use of HTT thermal oil heaters for the gaining process of heat in their systems.
HTT thermal oil systems
Experts in thermal oil, thermal oil systems, heat recovery and plant modernisation, HTT’s thermal oil systems supply safe, energy efficient process heat for a number of industries, including the chemicals, textile, food, metal, rubber, mineral oil, wood and printing industries.
Specifically adapted thermal oil heaters built by HTT are highly flexible, designed for specific applications, environmentally friendly and economical. “In the case of flexographic printing, solvent-based inks, varnishes and adhesives used are very liquid and in their press ready state, the ratio of liquid solvent to solid matter (dry ink) is 80:20,” notes Laetitia Botha, Product Engineer of Energas Technologies. “Once the ink, adhesive or varnish has been applied through the printing rollers, the substrate is fed through a dryer. It is at this point that it is heated and large volumes of air are blown over the substrate, depending on which, the air temperature can range between 40˚C and 180°C. In this case, an indirect heating method is used where thermal oil is heated inside a tube coil and heated by a burner. The thermal oil is then circulated through heat exchangers that heats up air to dry the printed material,” she adds.
Notes Bashirov, “Our success is based on great professionalism combined with teamwork. We also consistently invest in technology and maintaining high standards in this regard, and profit from a high level of flexibility and quality products,” adding, “Just as Windmöller & Hölscher is the technological leader in flexographic machinery, HTT is the technological leader in supplying process heat by means of thermal oil heaters; their partnership is an asset to our industry. Over the past ten years, both companies have proven their reliability and commitment to quality and service.”
“The printing industry represents an essential cornerstone for a variety of sectors globally. While the concept of print is thousands of years old, today’s technology brings this art into the future with highly specialised machinery; however, this is a future that is rightly concerned about sustainability and energy efficiency. This is why we, at Energas Technologies, are proud to supply the South African print industry with world class technology from HTT that enhances the footprint of this sector by paving the way for a more energy efficient, environmentally sensitive approach to print,” concludes Botha.